Bandhavgarh National Park

The Bandhavgarh National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh boasts of residing the highest number of Bengal Tigers in the world. Stretched to an area of 450 square kilometers, it is home to more than 250 species of birds and 22 species of mammals. The park is of important mythological and cultural importance as well, and derives its name from the ancient Bandhavgarh Fort that is believed to have been gifted by Lord Rama to his brother Lakshmana. It is most famed among those who want to watch the big cats in their habitats. The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh (8 Tiger per square km) is one of the highest known in India. There is even a saying about the Park that goes: "In any other Park, you are lucky if you see a tiger. In Bandhavgarh, you are unlucky if you don't see (at least) one." However, there were no sightings in any forest for nearly 50 years, before 1951 when the Maharaja of Rewa captured the first white tiger in this region. Among the other wild attractions include Nilgai, Spotted, Sambar and Barking Deer, Gaur or bison, Chausingha, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, the Asiatic Jackal, Bengal Fox, etc. among others, and species of birds like Egret, Serpent Eagle, Black Vulture, grey hornbill, white breasted kingfisher, Red Jungle Fowl and many more. Various species of reptiles are also found in the park.

The Bandhavgarh National Park is located in the Umaria district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India, spread across the Vindhya Hills. The four main zones of the national park are Tala, Magdhi, Khitauli and Panpatha. Tala, the main entrance as well, is the richest zone in terms of biodiversity and the most favorable to sight tigers. The site is almost 195 kilometers from Jabalpur. There is a good connectivity to the reserve through road by means of buses from Rewa, Satna, Katni and Umaria running under the Madhya Pradesh State Transport. In addition, cabs can also be hired from all the surrounding major cities. The nearest railway station is the Umaria railway station located at a distance of 35 kilometers, 45 minutes away from the park. The next nearest station to the park is the Katni Railway station, which is at a distance of 100 km. The nearest airports to access the park are the Khajuraho Airport (270 kilometers away) and the Jabalpur Airport (190 kilometers), from where taxis are hired to reach Umaria. Both of them are accessed by international as well as domestic flights.

Bandhavgarh National Park’s lower slopes have forests of Sal trees and Bamboo. The higher hills of the park include high grasslands, and the overall vegetation of a moist Deciduous Forest. Therefore, the summers are generally warm but rainy, while the winters are very cold. The park is open for visitors only from the 15th of October to the 30th of June, and remains closed in the other months. The site remains in its best weather during the spring season. So the best time to visit the reserve is from middle of January to the month of April.

The option available at the Bandhavgarh National Park is of the jeep and the canter safari, operating at fixed times that differ from season to season. The safaris are scheduled from all the four zones. The jeep safari carries 6 tourists at a time while the canter safari allows 16 tourists. One can take the morning safari from 06:30 am to 11:00 am or the evening shift from 02:30 pm to 05:30 pm in 15th October to 15th February. The safari shift timings from 16th February to 31st March are 06:00 am to 11:00 am and 03:00 pm to 06:00 pm. From April to 30th June the safari is scheduled from 05:30 am to 10:00 am and 04:00 pm to 07:00 pm. However, the visitors must note that during this time, the park remains closed for tourists on every Wednesday, and on the occasion of Holi (in March), both the safaris are restricted. The open jeep safaris allows a perfect sight of the majestic tiger, up close and personal, that often triggers awe and wonder amongst all passionate for these ferocious beasts, that roam casually in the environment. There are certain tigers that even walk near to the tourist vehicles, and the safari is the only method to witness this thrill.

For the ones who visit National parks for more of adventure and thrill, the Bandhavgarh National Park is their ultimate destination. Renowned worldwide for the tigers that live here, the entire ecosystem of the park undoubtedly depends on them. The safaris and the tourist actions too are concentrated towards tiger sightings. In addition, the presence of the majestic White Tigers in a natural habit that are otherwise only seen in the zoos is an unmatched advantage. In addition, the flora of the place, and the more than 250 species of birds and 80 species of butterflies is not a sight that is seen often. So, the reserve should be a must visit for all who want to feel the same awe that they felt when they first time visited a zoo. After all, nothing can match the excitement of seeing a Royal Bengal Tiger with naked eyes in the safest proximity, and without any barricade.